By Kenneth Marcos 
In a bright conference room along Visayas Avenue, Quezon City, government officials and industry representatives gathered on March 18, 2026, to discuss the future of Philippine livestock and poultry standards. The atmosphere was focused and collaborative, as participants shared insights to strengthen the nation’s food safety and production quality.
The Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards (DA-BAFS), through its Standards Development Division (SDD), hosted the Sectoral Meeting for Philippine National Standards (PNS) on livestock and poultry. The event aimed to review and plan programs, activities, and projects (PAPs) for 2026 to 2028 that guide the development of national standards for the sector.
Representatives from partner agencies contributed recommendations to ensure that the standards remain relevant and responsive to the evolving needs of farmers, producers, and consumers. Discussions focused on areas such as animal welfare, biosecurity, meat and egg quality, and safe handling practices. Participants also highlighted the importance of aligning standards with global best practices to improve competitiveness and ensure the safety of Philippine livestock products.
“The meeting provides a platform for open dialogue between government agencies and stakeholders,” said a DA-BAFS official. “By exchanging insights and feedback, we can ensure that our standards support both industry growth and consumer protection.”
The session also emphasized coordination among agencies and industry partners. Clear communication and collaboration are seen as essential for timely updates to standards, adoption of new technologies, and consistent implementation across the country. Strengthening these linkages will help the livestock and poultry sector meet rising consumer demands while maintaining high safety and quality benchmarks.
Livestock and poultry play a crucial role in Philippine agriculture, supplying meat, eggs, and other products to millions of households. Developing and updating national standards ensures that products are safe, high-quality, and sustainable. Such initiatives also help local producers compete internationally by meeting recognized safety and quality criteria.
DA-BAFS thanked all participants for their active engagement and support. The bureau underscored that continuous collaboration is key to advancing standards that protect consumers, improve production efficiency, and promote a more resilient agricultural sector.
As the Philippines seeks to strengthen its livestock and poultry industry, events like the sectoral meeting demonstrate the government’s commitment to food safety, quality assurance, and sustainable growth.
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